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Apple has unveiled its long-rumoured wearable device, the Apple Watch.
"We love to make technology more personal," CEO Tim Cook said during an event held earlier today in California showcasing the new hardware.
Previously thought to be dubbed the iWatch, Cook explained the Apple Watch works seamlessly” with the iPhone and also serves as a comprehensive” health and fitness device. It will come in three models: The Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Sport and the 18 karat gold Apple Watch Edition.
All versions of the hardware will include a "digital crown," a high-tech version of the protrusion on the side of most standard wristwatches. Clicking it in will signal the device’s Home button, while twisting the digital crown zooms in and out in applications such as Maps.
"What we didn’t do was take the iPhone and shrink the user interface and slap it on your wrist," Cook stated, adding that the device can be worn all day.”
According to Apple senior vice president of design Johny Ive, the Apple Watch constitutes a range of devices,” includes a retina display that senses force that adds a new dimension to the user interface,” and carries contextually specific controls through its ability to tell the difference between a tap and a press.
Four sensors on the back of the hardware detect pulse rate, which along with the gyroscope, accelerometer and info gathered from an iPhone, can understand an individual’s movement and set goals” for users.
The device charges with a proprietary, magnetic adapter that fastens itself to the backside of the face of the watch.
The watch will support third-party apps, "WatchKit” allows developers to communicate with the device by sending notifications that appear on the home screen. Apple’s Fitness and Workout apps will be included on-board the device as well.
The Apple Watch requires an iPhone 5 or more recent model. The wearable will start at $349 when it launches sometime in early 2015.
